Twitter Reactions: Linde, Williams, Markram help South Africa draw equaliser in the T20I series

Babar Azam scored a fifty for the visitors, but his efforts went in vain.

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South Africa Cricket Team
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South Africa Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

After a loss in the opening game, South Africa have made an incredible comeback in the second T20I against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The hosts came out firing on all cylinders and won by six wickets to draw level in the four-match series. The home team was dominating to the extent that they won the match with as many as 36 balls to spare.

South Africa restrict their opponent

After opting to bat first, Pakistan found themselves in all sorts of trouble. Left-arm spinner George Linde removed both the openers- Mohammad Rizwan and Sharjeel Khan– within the third over to set the cat amongst the pigeons in the opposition camp. Babar Azam and veteran Mohammad Hafeez tried to steady the ship as they put on 58 runs for the third wicket stand off 48 balls.

Linde got rid of Hafeez, who made a 23-ball 32, finding the right-hander’s outside edge. Haider Ali threatened with two fours, but then became Tabraiz Shamsi’s victim. The lower order didn’t contribute much as Pakistan were bowled out for 140 in 20 overs. Babar made a run-a-ball 50, but he couldn’t churn out the big shots, frequently enough. He only hit five fours in his knock.

Markram sets the tone

In the run-chase, the hosts made their intentions clear, going for shots right from the word go. Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram put on 44 runs for the opening wicket off 27 balls to kick-start South Africa’s innings. Hasan Ali removed Malan to give Pakistan some breather. Mohammad Hasnain, thereafter, got rid of Wihan Lubbe, who was threatening to get away, hitting three fours.

Markram went on to score 54 runs off 30 balls before Usman Qadir accounted for his wicket. His knock was laced with seven fours and three sixes. Skipper Heinrich Klaasen turned up with a 21-ball 36 and took his team closer to a win.

The captain stayed unbeaten and took his team over the finishing line. Linde, after getting three wickets with the ball, notched a 10-ball 20 as well. Lizaad Williams got three wickets as well. Pite van Biljon slumped to a failure with the bat.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to South Africa’s win:

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